Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
POLIS ISLAM
Oleh Dr Mahathir Mohamad
9. Pelancong pula akan ke negeri-negeri Melayu yang berbeza bukan sahaja undang-undang Islam mereka, tetapi akan pandangan, amalan dan tafsiran akan undang-undang ini.
1. Cadangan untuk mengadakan polis Islam untuk menguatkuasakan undang-undang Islam perlu dikaji dengan mendalam.
2. Undang-undang Islam di negeri-negeri Malaysia tidak sama. Pelaksanaannya juga tidak sama. Pelawat ke negeri-negeri yang berbeza undang-undang Islam akan terjebak dengan amalan-amalan yang berbeza dengan amalan di negerinya.
3. Persepsi berkenaan dengan amalan-amalan oleh orang Islam juga tidak sama. Penguatkuasa akan lebih terpengaruh dengan persepsi ini, bahkan oleh persepsinya sendiri. Anggota polis tidak mungkin terdiri daripada yang arif dalam agama Islam. Diantara ulama pun terdapat perbezaan pendapat.
4. Di sebuah negeri wanita dengan lelaki perlu diasingkan di pasar umpamanya. Akan ada wanita yang membeli-belah bersama suami. Apakah mereka mesti diasingkan bila membeli-belah?
5. Di negeri lain tudung mungkin diwajibkan. Seluar mungkin terlalu ketat. Soalnya setakat mana longgar yang dibenar oleh polis?
6. Kita akan dapati anggota polis Islam mempunyai pandangan yang tersendiri. Yang ortodoks mungkin lebih keras daripada yang lain. Tindakan yang diambil bergantung kepada pandangan mereka. Bagi sesetengah, pelanggaran undang-undang Islam sudah berlaku dan tangkapan perlu dibuat. Bagi yang lain, mungkin tidak. Semakin lama semakin ketat tafsiran berkenaan undang-undang Islam. Sesiapa yang tidak bersetuju dengan kerasnya sesuatu tafsiran tidak akan berani menyuarakan pendapat kerana takut dituduh tidak Islam.
7. Negara kita menerima ramai pelancong dari luar negeri. Pakaian mereka berbeza-beza. Polis akan tahan pelancong untuk bertanya mereka Islam atau tidak. Jika Islam mereka akan ditangkap atau diheret ke Jabatan Polis Islam. Pelancong bukan Islam tidak akan senang dengan disoal oleh polis.
8. Ada yang akan berkata pedulikan. Ini Negara Islam. Tetapi kekurangan pelancong akan mempunyai kesan buruk kepada ramai, termasuk yang bekerja.
9. Pelancong pula akan ke negeri-negeri Melayu yang berbeza bukan sahaja undang-undang Islam mereka, tetapi akan pandangan, amalan dan tafsiran akan undang-undang ini.
10. Kita mempunyai penduduk pelbagai agama. Pakaian dan tingkah-laku mereka tidak sama. Tentulah aneh jika mereka boleh buat apa sahaja tanpa sebarang tindakan.
11. Tentu akan ada desakan yang bukan Islam juga perlu dipengaruhi dengan piawaian Islam. Maka akan berlakulah ketegangan antara orang Islam dan bukan Islam.
12. Kita sudah lihat di sebuah negara jiran yang mempunyai polis Islam dan masalah yang dihadapi oleh mereka.
13. Yang harus diperlakukan ialah didikan tentang sifat-sifat yang perlu ada pada orang Islam di Malaysia. Kita lihat jenayah seperti rogol, buang bayi, penagihan dadah dan bermacam lagi jenayah lebih melibatkan orang Islam. Yang perlu ditangani ialah masalah-masalah ini. Kenapakah orang Islam yang terlibat dan kurang benar orang bukan Islam yang terlibat? Undang-undang sama tetapi perlakuan jenayah tidak sama. Tentu ada sebab.
14. Saya berpendapat sementara orang Islam diajar untuk mengamalkan ibadah-ibadah tertentu, mereka tidak disemai dengan nilai hidup, kewajiban dan larangan Islam seperti tidak mengambil benda yang bukan kepunyaan kita, mengawal nafsu, menghormati ibubapa dan keluarga dan bermacam lagi.
15. Ibubapa sekarang tidak berupaya mendidik anak. Sekolah yang perlu ambilalih tugas ini.
16. Mengadakan polis Islam tidak akan menyelesaikan masalah-masalah orang Islam. Secara terus-terang saya menyatakan saya tidak bersetuju dengan cadangan ini. Saya sembahyang, puasa, keluar zakat dan buat kerja haji bukan kerana polis akan tangkap saya jika saya tidak. Saya mengucap dua kalimah syahadah juga bukan kerana takut ditangkap. Saya tunaikan apa yang diwajibkan keatas saya kerana saya beragama Islam, kerana kepercayaan dan iman.
17. Tidak ada paksaan dalam Islam. Janganlah kita jadikan agama Islam agama “Police State”.
http://chedet.cc/
MULTIRACIALISM IN MALAYSIA
By Dr Mahathir Mohamad
1. Malaysia is a multiracial country. It is multiracial in the true sense of the word. This is because Malaysian nationals retain their identification with their countries of origin or where their forebears came from. In no other country with a large number of citizens of foreign origin do we see this retention of previous identities.
1. Malaysia is a multiracial country. It is multiracial in the true sense of the word. This is because Malaysian nationals retain their identification with their countries of origin or where their forebears came from. In no other country with a large number of citizens of foreign origin do we see this retention of previous identities.
2. Initially, during the time of negotiation between the communities for independence, there was some expectation of assimilation into a single Malayan identity. But the resistance was too strong and the leaders gave in so as to get every race to support the quest for independence. Not only should the original identity be maintained but the language, culture and media of instruction in schools should also be maintained.
3. Faced with this reality the leaders of the different races at that time decided on a formula for sharing political power between the races instead. This was to be done by the formation of a coalition of race-based parties. But these parties should work together as a coalition. And so the Alliance consisting of UMNO, MCA and MIC was formed.
4. It worked for a time. But sharing political power was not enough. What about the economy. Initially the leadership believed that all the Malays wanted was to work as salaried workers in the Government.
5. The Chinese were expected to just do business. In those days business meant being shop-keepers. Big business was in the hands of the Europeans.
6. This picture of the Malays being in the Government and the Chinese continuing to be shop-keepers was quite simplistic but it was believed this would be the permanent feature of Malaysia. Not much thought was given to the increase in the Malay population or the wealth to be gained in the economic sector when the Europeans leave.
7. This sharing only of political power did not last. The Malays wanted the wealth from business and the non-Malays wanted the employment opportunities at the highest level in the Government. And so in the 1969 Elections support for the Alliance coalition was not forthcoming. The Alliance won but despite the lower house having an increase in number of seats from 104 to 144, the Alliance won only 74 seats, the same as when the total number of seats was 104 in 1964.
8. Serious riots took place with damage to property and loss of lives. Apparently the formula of sharing between the races in the political field alone was not enough. But the Malay leaders during the rule by the National Operations Council continued to believe in sharing political power. But they also accepted that there was a need to share economic wealth also.
9. The coalition was accordingly enlarged so as to bring in more non-Malays. The National Front which replaced the Alliance included the Chinese – based Gerakan, the Chinese supported Indian – led PPP of Perak, the Sarawak United Peoples Party (Chinese). PAS and the native-based parties of Sarawak also joined the National Front.
10. Having resolved the problem of political power sharing, attention was turned to the sharing of economic wealth. For this the New Economic Policy was enunciated with the objectives of (a) eradicating poverty irrespective of race and (b) eliminating the identification of race with economic functions.
11. Parliament was reconvened in 1972 and the new Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition adopted the New Economic Policy. The majority of the people endorsed the sharing of political power and economic wealth through giving the BN two-thirds majorities in all the Elections from 1974 to 2004.
12. The DAP refused to join the coalition and for a time made up the sole opposition. Obviously it did not agree to the sharing of political power and economic wealth between the races in Malaysia. But DAP’s refusal failed to destabilise the country. Consequently for 30 years Malaysia enjoyed rapid growth. Although the NEP target was not achieved, no one can deny that the economic disparities between the races had been reduced. As for the sharing of political power, the acceptance of many opposition parties into the Government and their involvement in policy making reflect the reality of the political change between the Alliance Coalition and the National Front Coalition.
13. After winning the biggest majority ever (199 out of 222), the BN Government decided to accede to “popular” demands and adopted a more liberal attitude towards both politics and the economic sector. In other words the idea of fair sharing of political power and economic wealth between the different races should be terminated.
14. It believed that this would make it more popular. The opposition would have no issues with which to attack the BN.
15. But in the 2008 Elections it was manifestly clear that the BN had lost popularity instead.
16. It scored less than two-thirds for the first time since 1969, gaining only 140 of the 222 seats. The pro-sharing Malays were dismayed but despite changing their leader, they found that the trend towards liberalisation remained.
17. The belief of the new leadership was that Chinese support would come back if the sharing policies of the NEP were not implemented.
18. Despite obviously rejecting the sharing principle, support for the BN did not return. Instead the DAP dangled before the Chinese the possibility of having both political and economic dominance. This was deemed possible because the Malays had split into three parties and each one of them needed Chinese support in order to win. The Chinese had the deciding vote and were in a position to give victory only to those who believe in throwing out the sharing concept.
19. The slogan coined “Ini kalilah” (this time we can) was used to indicate that political power could be wrested from the BN and the opposition would form the next Government. This opposition Government would discard the sharing principle.
20. Many non-Malay supporters of the BN component parties were convinced that by withdrawing their support the BN would lose and so would the idea of sharing political and economic power between the races.
21. In the event the BN managed to scrape through with a reduced majority, principally through the support of Malays and other indigenous people.
22. Taking advantage of liberalisation and the weakened BN Government, the conflict between the races heated up. The situation in Malaysia is tense as never before.
23. The people show no respect for the Government.
24. Malaysians by and large are not violent people. But for how long can Malaysia remain stable in the face of persistent violation of the good understanding and the sharing of power between the races.
25. Malaysian, be they Malays, Chinese, Indians or the native of Sabah and Sarawak must banish from their minds the idea of racial dominance. This country must be shared and shared fair by all the races.
http://chedet.cc/
Monday, January 27, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
THE LOAF
The Loaf, Malaysia’s premium Japanese-inspired bakery, announced today the launch of several exciting new sweet taste sensations. Three new flavoured Creamy Ampan (Japanese red bean buns) and over a dozen new and deliciously flavoured U-hu-hu signature cheesecakes, available only at The Loaf, were launched in Kuala Lumpur today.
The Loaf Chairman YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accompanied by YABhg Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah officiated at the launch held at The Loaf’s 11th outlet, SOGO Kuala Lumpur. Also present in the official party were Puan Sri Datin Motoko Suzuki and The Loaf’s Managing Director, Mr Jiro Suzuki.
In his welcoming address to The Loaf’s loyal customers, Tun Dr Mahathir said that The Loaf aimed to maintain its position as the premium Japanese style bakery café and that its expansion plans were aimed at reaching a much broader customer base. He added: “Offering new products and extending the range of existing products is a hallmark of The Loaf and I believe this sets us apart as a market leader. In an effort to make the delicious, world-class breads and pastries accessible to more Malaysians, The Loaf has opened two new outlets in the Klang Valley over the past few months and we have more to come.”
Mr Jiro Suzuki commented: “The Loaf has continuously strived to be an innovator in introducing delicious new products. This creates a sense of anticipation with our loyal customers who regularly visit us as they know there will always be something new to experience when they visit one of our stores. As such, we are launching today three new flavours of our Creamy Ampan series and new base doughs in our well respected U-hu-hu cheesecake along with more than a dozen new flavours.”
Mr Jiro explained that the Creamy Ampan (Japanese red bean bun) is now being offered in the flavours of original Fresh Cream, Espresso Coffee and Green Tea. Original Fresh Cream is a rich combination of red bean paste with fresh whipped cream. Espresso Coffee offers the combination of fresh whipped cream, subtly sweetened homemade red bean paste and the distinctive and strong flavour of rich espresso coffee. The Green Tea flavoured bun is made from the finest imported green tea.
The concept of U-hu-hu was explained by Mr Jiro who commented: “U-hu-hu is a celebration of happiness and friendship in a caring environment. It is a Japanese term that originates in the melodious laughter of Japanese women associated with happiness, especially evident while enjoying delicious sweets and other delicacies. It is a sound heard when women gather to share tea, sweets, conversation and friendship.”
“Our master bakers have developed a new range of hand-crafted U-hu-hu items that are delicious, fluffy and preservative free. They are made with passion and inspired by the tastes of flowers, herbs, berries and fruits,” added Mr Jiro.
The exciting new U-hu-hu range is now offered in two new creamy based doughs. The baked version has a rich cheesy flavour while the unbaked version has a slight sour but much lighter and fresher taste. A new and enticing range of flavours include apricot, blackberry, citron, coconut, melon, banana, blackcurrant, green tea, kiwifruit, lychee, mango, orange, passionfruit, peach, raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, and strawberry. Mr Jiro also commented that the new U-hu-hu range is now to be offered with transparent packaging to show more freshness and lightness of the U-hu-hu.
The Loaf also took the opportunity to celebrate Tun Dr Mahathir’s birthday during the event. A ‘cake blowing’ ceremony was held in conjunction with the launch of the new Creamy Ampan series and U-hu-hu cheesecake.
The Loaf concept offers Japanese-styled bread and pastry items baked by Japanese master bakers using premium quality ingredients, mostly imported from Japan and Europe. While the recipes have evolved in Japan over centuries, they are further enhanced by the state-of-the-art cooking techniques and equipment used in The Loaf’s kitchens and also include local elements to showcase the cultural diversity that Malaysia has to offer.The Loaf’s first outlet opened in the picturesque marina location of Telaga Harbour Park in Langkawi in 2006. The Loaf’s flagship outlet is situated in the prestigious front entrance location to The Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.
foodnframe.com/
The Loaf Bakery & Bistro @Pavilion.
Most of the shop in KL shopping mall opened after 10am. But have you ever experienced to have breakfast as early as 8am in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping mall? The Loaf outlet at Pavilion KL, owned by our former prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahatir in September 2007 is ready to serve you with pastries and an array of buns with a distinct aroma of coffee to give you a good day start!
The Loaf: Main Entrance
There have 2 sections as smoking area and non-smoking area.
The Loaf: Outdoor Entrance
While my girlfriend and I walked along The Loaf, we saw that the bakery corner offers those kinds of bread, pastries, cupcake and more. It smells so good.
The Loaf: Outdoor Entrance
The Loaf: Homemade Cookies
There were 4 different flavors of Homemade Confiture Jam as Sayuri Confiture (Pineapple & Lavender), Hiroko Confiture (Orange and Lemon), Nodoka Confiture (Fresh Grapefruit & Rosemary) and Motoko Confiture (Raspberry & Rose). In general, it's a mixture of fruit and herbs or spices!
There were 4 different flavors of Homemade Confiture Jam as Sayuri Confiture (Pineapple & Lavender), Hiroko Confiture (Orange and Lemon), Nodoka Confiture (Fresh Grapefruit & Rosemary) and Motoko Confiture (Raspberry & Rose). In general, it's a mixture of fruit and herbs or spices!
The Loaf: Sayuri Confiture (RM15.80), Hiroko Confiture (RM15.80), Nodoka Confiture(RM17.80) and Motoko Confiture (RM19.80).
The Loaf: Bakery Café and Alacarte Menu
We ordered Mixed Fruits cupcake (up left), Sausage Cheese Oyaki (bottom left), Tuna Mayo (up right) and Chocolate Croissant (bottom right) that suggested by waiter. Chocolate Croissant comes in different sizes, if you are chocolate lovers, you must try it, and those are equally delicious.
The Loaf: Mixed Fruits Cupcake (RM2.10), Sausage Cheese Oyaki (RM1.90), Tuna Mayo (RM3.00), Chocolate Croissant (RM3.10)
Furthermore, they have a lot of beverages as Fre wine (non-alcoholic), Fresh brew, Mocktail, Fresh juice and more. I strongly recommended “The Wild Thing” because it’s good to help our kidney and bladder rid our body of excess salt and it’s a mixture of apple, watermelon and pineapple.
The Loaf: “The Wild Thing” (RM12)
“French Brick” is traditional French Toast with Chocolate sauce and Honey Strawberry. The design was unique!
The Loaf: “French Brick” (RM12)
Must try “Creamy Mushroom” as the design was extraordinary, not only the design, the most vital was you will taste different blend of mushroom and rich scent of truffle in the creamy soup. You can try the bread which rich in mushroom soup too!
The Loaf: “Creamy Mushroom” (RM18)
In addition to, The Bistro at The Loaf earned an award as one of Malaysia’s best restaurant for its exceptional cuisine and service in 2011.
The Loaf: 2011 Malaysia’s Best Restaurants Award
As previously stated, I feel that The Loaf Bakery & Bistro @Pavilion has a massive selection of high quality bread, pastries and cupcake. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were available in The Loaf. Their services were welcoming and sympathetic. They also have good comfort food, comfy environment and excellent service. The price was slightly higher, but it’s worthy in quality. Do visit their website for more details.
The Loaf Bakery & Bistro
Levels 3 & 4,
Lot 3.13.00 & 14.12.02,
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur,
168, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 603-2145 3036
Fax: 603-2145 3034
Website: www.theloaf.net
Facebook: fb.com/theloaf.net
Operating Hours: 8am to 10pm daily
Fax: 603-2145 3034
Website: www.theloaf.net
Facebook: fb.com/theloaf.net
Operating Hours: 8am to 10pm daily
SOURCE :
http://awesomebcomm.blogspot.com/
Dr Mahathir and Motoko in bread-making venture
BY KERRY FONG
SERI KEMBANGAN: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is putting his money where his mouth is, at least as far as his bread is concerned.
He said that currently, there were not many people looking for exquisite bread, but once they started getting it, they would begin to ask for it. “It’s a question of supply leading demand,” he added.
Suzuki said four staff members had been sent for three to six months’ training at Japan’s oldest bakery, H. Freundlieb, to not only pick up baking skills but also be inculcated with the culture of craftsmanship in bread making.
SERI KEMBANGAN: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is putting his money where his mouth is, at least as far as his bread is concerned.
The former prime minister, via M&M Consolidated Resources Sdn Bhd, a 51:49 joint venture with Motoko Resources Sdn Bhd, is setting up a bakery-cum-restaurant in Langkawi that aims to produce high-quality bakery products and pastries served a la fine dining.
The RM3mil bakery, called The Loaf, is located at Telaga Harbour Park. It will be launched on Saturday.
In an interview, Dr Mahathir, who is company chairman, said whenever he visited Japan, he would invariably buy bread from a bakery in Tokyo called Johan before returning home.
He said now that he had retired, he wanted to try his hand at business and decided to go into making Japanese bread as he considered bread from that country as being of high quality.
“I have always urged people to go into business through joint ventures with foreigners. Now I want to try my hand at both – making bread and (going into) joint venture with the Japanese,” he told StarBiz.
Dr Mahathir, who is also adviser of Langkawi Development Authority, said the island had some first-class hotels and restaurants but as a world-class resort, it had not been aiming for high-end food.
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Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad teams up with Mokoto for bread-making venture.
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M&M Consolidated managing director Jiro Suzuki said the bakery would initially offer 60 types of bread and 15 to 20 types of pastries, which would increase to 100 and 30 respectively by end-2007.
He said in two to three years, the company would be looking at opening more outlets or expanding via franchising in high-class resorts in Phuket, Bali, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Ultimately, it plans to have outlets or franchisees in Tokyo, London and New York, offering bakery products that are as good as those offered in these cities.
Suzuki, who is also vice-president and chief operating officer of Motoko, sees M&M Consolidated breaking even in three to four years and making a return on investment of 5% to 10% a year.
He said The Loaf would be mainly targeting Langkawi’s foreign tourists, who made up 40% of the 2.2 million visitors to the island yearly. Of the foreign tourists, some 70% are Europeans and about 10% Japanese.
As The Loaf is located near the yacht harbour, it is also eyeing the well-heeled yacht owners.
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Jiro Suzuki
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The company has also engaged an award-winning Japanese chef.
“Bread eating is popular among the Japanese, who have refined the baking technique and taken it to greater heights.
“Twenty years ago, Asians looked to the West for bread but now that trend has reversed. Europeans are now coming to Asia,” he said.
On the motivation behind his venture, Dr Mahathir said other than deriving some self-satisfaction, it was also important for the business to be profitable, as he needed to show an example and prove that anyone with a little business experience could do business by using the expertise of others.
http://www.thestar.com.my/
Friday, January 24, 2014
BN akan kalah teruk
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed tidak menolak kemungkinan BN akan kalah teruk pada pilihan raya akan datang sekiranya isu kenaikan harga barangan dan perkhidmatan tidak diatasi dengan segera.
Menurutnya, biarpun kerajaan kini giat menjalankan operasi pemantauan dan kawalan harga di seluruh negara, namun jika kerajaan gagal menangani kemarahan rakyat itu, peluang mempertahankan kerusi kerajaan dikhuatiri tipis.
"Ya boleh, tapi sekarang ini saya nampak ada sedikit kawalan harga yang dilakukan oleh pemerintah, ini adalah usaha yang baik tetapi pendapat Tun Daim itu memanglah mempunyai asasnya," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan forum yang bertajuk 'Hak Asasi Kemanusiaan Dalam Tradisi Islam' di Pusat Islam, di sini, hari ini.
Beliau berkata demikian mengulas lanjut kenyataan bekas menteri kewangan, Tun Daim Zainuddin pada Selasa lalu meramalkan BN akan tumbang sekiranya pilihan raya diadakan ketika kemarahan sedang memuncak berikutan isu kos sara hidup.
Kata Daim lagi, kerajaan BN pimpinan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang tidak cekap dan boleh mendatangkan mudarat hilangnya kuasa BN dalam PRU14 akan datang.
"Kerajaan gagal mengawal isu kenaikan harga barang.
"Isu pengurangan subsidi yang selama ini dinikmati rakyat perlu diteruskan dengan mengurangkan perbelanjaan kerajaan di mana rakyat nampak kerajaan boros dalam perbelanjaan negara," katanya.
Dalam pada itu, mengulas isu kalimah ALLAH, Mahathir menegaskan, kerajaan perlu mengembalikan keputusan asal hanya penganut Kristian di Sabah dan Sarawak sahaja yang diberi kebenaran menggunakan Bible dalam Bahasa Melayu.
"Ketika saya dalam kerajaan, penyelesaiannya ialah kitab Bible berbahasa Melayu itu hanya digunakan di Sabah dan Sarawak.
"Cuma kita tidak perlukannya di Semenanjung Malaysia," katanya lagi.
SINAR HARIAN
Menurutnya, biarpun kerajaan kini giat menjalankan operasi pemantauan dan kawalan harga di seluruh negara, namun jika kerajaan gagal menangani kemarahan rakyat itu, peluang mempertahankan kerusi kerajaan dikhuatiri tipis.
"Ya boleh, tapi sekarang ini saya nampak ada sedikit kawalan harga yang dilakukan oleh pemerintah, ini adalah usaha yang baik tetapi pendapat Tun Daim itu memanglah mempunyai asasnya," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan forum yang bertajuk 'Hak Asasi Kemanusiaan Dalam Tradisi Islam' di Pusat Islam, di sini, hari ini.
Beliau berkata demikian mengulas lanjut kenyataan bekas menteri kewangan, Tun Daim Zainuddin pada Selasa lalu meramalkan BN akan tumbang sekiranya pilihan raya diadakan ketika kemarahan sedang memuncak berikutan isu kos sara hidup.
Kata Daim lagi, kerajaan BN pimpinan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang tidak cekap dan boleh mendatangkan mudarat hilangnya kuasa BN dalam PRU14 akan datang.
"Kerajaan gagal mengawal isu kenaikan harga barang.
"Isu pengurangan subsidi yang selama ini dinikmati rakyat perlu diteruskan dengan mengurangkan perbelanjaan kerajaan di mana rakyat nampak kerajaan boros dalam perbelanjaan negara," katanya.
Dalam pada itu, mengulas isu kalimah ALLAH, Mahathir menegaskan, kerajaan perlu mengembalikan keputusan asal hanya penganut Kristian di Sabah dan Sarawak sahaja yang diberi kebenaran menggunakan Bible dalam Bahasa Melayu.
"Ketika saya dalam kerajaan, penyelesaiannya ialah kitab Bible berbahasa Melayu itu hanya digunakan di Sabah dan Sarawak.
"Cuma kita tidak perlukannya di Semenanjung Malaysia," katanya lagi.
SINAR HARIAN
Forum Kebangsaan Hak Asasi Kemanusiaan Dalam Tradisi Islam
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed berpandangan bahawa setiap dokongan idea hak asasi barat perlu mempunyai had, jika tidak ia boleh mencetuskan huru hara dan meruntuhkan tradisi masyarakat timur.
“Idea-idea hak asasi perlu ada hadnya dan tidak semua boleh diterima secara keseluruhan.
“Dan saya percaya jika dibenarkan kebebasan ala barat ini ia pasti akan meruntuhkan negara dan institusi masyarakat itu sendiri,” ujarnya dalam ucaptama bertajuk ‘Prinsip dan Praktik Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat: Langkah ke Hadapan’ pada Forum Kebangsaan Hak Asasi Kemanusiaan Dalam Tradisi Islam di Pusat Islam, Kuala Lumpur, pagi tadi.
Katanya, kini hak asasi kemanusiaan yang datangnya dari barat yang taksub dengan kebebasan sedang hangat diperjuangkan.
Ada yang pergi ke Swizterland mendesak agar Malaysia menerima pakai nilai-nilai hak asasi Barat.
Terkini, COMANGO telah menyerahkan laporan yang mengandungi beberapa tuntutan yang berpaksikan barat yang bertentangan dengan Islam telah diserahkan kepada Majlis Hak Asasi Manusia Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (UNHCR) semasa sesi Semakan Berkala Sejagat (UPR) pada 24 Oktober di Geneva, Switzerland yang lalu.
Jadi kita semua perlu tahu bahawa perjuangan hak asasi barat inilah yang sedang mengancam masyarakat kita sehingga mencetuskan konflik.
Katanya, di negara barat hak asasi individu lebih menjadi keutamaan sehingga membelakangkan hak masyarakat dan itulah yang hendak dipraktikkan di Malaysia.
“Jika pendapat individu mengatakan harus menolak adat dan agama maka ia harus diterima selaras dengan pemikiran hak asasi itu.
“Lihat saja di Eropah, idea tentang perkahwinan digugurkan. Mereka beranggapan tidak perlu lagi ikatan perkahwinan.
“Sehinggalah munculnya idea hak asasi untuk sesama jantina. Adat dan agama telah diketepikan yang penting bagi mereka ialah hak asasi individu untuk melakukan apa sahaja.
Ujar Tun Mahathir lagi, segala yang dianggap sebagai nilai hidup agama dan adat ini telah dipinggirkan kerana pengaruh barat yang terlalu kuat.
Justeru, kita harus menerima sekatan-sekatan yang ada dalam agama apatah lagi kita hidup dalam masyarakat yang dikawal oleh adat, undang-undang dan agama.
Sebagai orang Islam, kita percaya bahawa Islam bukan sahaja agama tetapi cara hidup yang membawa kebaikan.
Maka kita perlu perkukuhkan pegangan agama kita dan perlu memahami isi Al-Quran. Bukan sekadar melakukan ibadat seharian tetapi fahamilah isi kandungan Al-Quran agar kita tidak terpesong.
Turut serta dalam forum tersebut adalah bekas Ketua Hakim Negara Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, dengan tajuk pembentangannya ‘Hak Asasi Manusia: Perspektif Tradisi Islam dan Perlembagaan Malaysia’. Pengerusi Pergerakan Keadilan Sedunia (JUST) dan Yayasan 1Malaysia Profesor Dr Chandra Muzzafar berkenaan Pendirian Hak Asasi Barat: Agenda dan Hipokrasinya dan Fellow Utama Akademik di Institut Antarabangsa Pemikiran dan Tamadun Islam (ISTAC) Prof Dr Mudathir ‘Abd Al-Rahim berkenaan Human Rights: Islamic and Western Perspective).
http://www.ismaweb.net/
“Idea-idea hak asasi perlu ada hadnya dan tidak semua boleh diterima secara keseluruhan.
“Dan saya percaya jika dibenarkan kebebasan ala barat ini ia pasti akan meruntuhkan negara dan institusi masyarakat itu sendiri,” ujarnya dalam ucaptama bertajuk ‘Prinsip dan Praktik Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat: Langkah ke Hadapan’ pada Forum Kebangsaan Hak Asasi Kemanusiaan Dalam Tradisi Islam di Pusat Islam, Kuala Lumpur, pagi tadi.
Katanya, kini hak asasi kemanusiaan yang datangnya dari barat yang taksub dengan kebebasan sedang hangat diperjuangkan.
Ada yang pergi ke Swizterland mendesak agar Malaysia menerima pakai nilai-nilai hak asasi Barat.
Terkini, COMANGO telah menyerahkan laporan yang mengandungi beberapa tuntutan yang berpaksikan barat yang bertentangan dengan Islam telah diserahkan kepada Majlis Hak Asasi Manusia Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (UNHCR) semasa sesi Semakan Berkala Sejagat (UPR) pada 24 Oktober di Geneva, Switzerland yang lalu.
Jadi kita semua perlu tahu bahawa perjuangan hak asasi barat inilah yang sedang mengancam masyarakat kita sehingga mencetuskan konflik.
Katanya, di negara barat hak asasi individu lebih menjadi keutamaan sehingga membelakangkan hak masyarakat dan itulah yang hendak dipraktikkan di Malaysia.
“Jika pendapat individu mengatakan harus menolak adat dan agama maka ia harus diterima selaras dengan pemikiran hak asasi itu.
“Lihat saja di Eropah, idea tentang perkahwinan digugurkan. Mereka beranggapan tidak perlu lagi ikatan perkahwinan.
“Sehinggalah munculnya idea hak asasi untuk sesama jantina. Adat dan agama telah diketepikan yang penting bagi mereka ialah hak asasi individu untuk melakukan apa sahaja.
Ujar Tun Mahathir lagi, segala yang dianggap sebagai nilai hidup agama dan adat ini telah dipinggirkan kerana pengaruh barat yang terlalu kuat.
Justeru, kita harus menerima sekatan-sekatan yang ada dalam agama apatah lagi kita hidup dalam masyarakat yang dikawal oleh adat, undang-undang dan agama.
Sebagai orang Islam, kita percaya bahawa Islam bukan sahaja agama tetapi cara hidup yang membawa kebaikan.
Maka kita perlu perkukuhkan pegangan agama kita dan perlu memahami isi Al-Quran. Bukan sekadar melakukan ibadat seharian tetapi fahamilah isi kandungan Al-Quran agar kita tidak terpesong.
Turut serta dalam forum tersebut adalah bekas Ketua Hakim Negara Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, dengan tajuk pembentangannya ‘Hak Asasi Manusia: Perspektif Tradisi Islam dan Perlembagaan Malaysia’. Pengerusi Pergerakan Keadilan Sedunia (JUST) dan Yayasan 1Malaysia Profesor Dr Chandra Muzzafar berkenaan Pendirian Hak Asasi Barat: Agenda dan Hipokrasinya dan Fellow Utama Akademik di Institut Antarabangsa Pemikiran dan Tamadun Islam (ISTAC) Prof Dr Mudathir ‘Abd Al-Rahim berkenaan Human Rights: Islamic and Western Perspective).
http://www.ismaweb.net/
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
CORRUPTION
By Dr Mahathir Mohamad
1. We need laws to punish corrupt people and to deter others from accepting bribes. But actually it is very difficult to catch corrupt personnel in Government or in business. It is even more difficult to prove corruption in a court of law. Most corrupt people escape unpunished.
10. The authority of the particular officer must be spelt out. This includes which part of the application is he in charge of. If other parts have not been ticked off properly by other officers, he must ignore them. He must just give his yes or no only with regard to the areas of his responsibility. The application will then go to the other officers for them to decide regardless as to whether earlier officers had already found that the approval cannot be given.
1. We need laws to punish corrupt people and to deter others from accepting bribes. But actually it is very difficult to catch corrupt personnel in Government or in business. It is even more difficult to prove corruption in a court of law. Most corrupt people escape unpunished.
2. Perhaps it is better to try and prevent corruption from taking place rather than to try to catch them after the fact. Actually the best way to prevent corruption is to instil in everyone the belief that corruption is wrong, that it is a crime and a sin. Most of us do not steal not because we are afraid or being caught and punished but because we know it is wrong. Similarly we will reject bribes if it is instilled in us that it is wrong. Unfortunately today it is difficult to instil good values in our children because, for most of us, less quality time is spent with them. And so many would accept bribes or offer bribes because we do not see it as wrong, as being a sin in our religion. We think and we believe that everyone is doing it and we would lose if we don’t do it. Self-restrain and self-discipline cannot be relied upon to curb corruption.
3. But it is possible to make corruption very difficult by removing temptations and opportunities.
4. Opportunities for corruption arise because of the need for interaction between those with authority and the public. The authorities need to process and approve all kinds of requests or proposals from the public. It is a kind of power and as we know power corrupts. If the authorised person reject or delay, the applicants may want to offer bribes to expedite or to approve.
5. Although we believe that the conditions or reasons for approval or disapproval have been determined and fixed for every kind of request or proposal, actually they are not. Where they are, they are quite vague and not precise. This gives rise to discretion on the part of those with authority. They may reject or at least delay as they like. The applicants may then offer bribes. If the reasons for approval or rejections are clear and precise there will be no room for discretion. It will either be approved or rejected. Should the authority reject or disapprove when it is clear that the conditions or requirements have all been fulfilled, then it would be easily detected.
6. The applicants generally would not dispute the decision made by the authority or complain because of delay. If rejected or delayed he would be tempted to bribe. This holds less danger for him than challenging the authority. He may need to deal with the same authority again or with his colleagues. They can create all kinds of trouble for him. But when the conditions for approval are simple and made known to the public, the authority will be exposing himself to his seniors who will go through all the processed application to ensure that the officer has made the right decision. But maybe the supervisor is working with his officer for a share of the bribe. But should there be an investigation the failure of the supervisor to act would be discovered immediately and he would have to bear the consequence. This would be a strong deterrence.
7. It is important that the top man show tangible interest in the work of the officers. Every month reports must be made to him with clear indications of the number rejected and the reasons why. The report must be made public, including actions taken when there is corruption.
8. To reduce further the opportunities for corruption, forms of application must be made as simple as possible. Long explanations and descriptions on how to fill the forms should be avoided. Instead Yes/No answers in boxed areas should be filled by applicants. The officer will need only to tick or cross in the box provided for each answer by the applicant.
9. Each officer should be required to examine, approve or reject only a small number of required conditions. There should be a work-flow chart. It should take only a few minutes to tick-off or to put a cross in the required box before passing the application to the next officer. The whole process including the decision of all the officers should not take more than three days. The applicant must be required by law to present himself at the office after three days had elapsed to enquire whether his application has been approved or not. All these meetings between officers and the applicant must be taped and recorded in a diary.
10. The authority of the particular officer must be spelt out. This includes which part of the application is he in charge of. If other parts have not been ticked off properly by other officers, he must ignore them. He must just give his yes or no only with regard to the areas of his responsibility. The application will then go to the other officers for them to decide regardless as to whether earlier officers had already found that the approval cannot be given.
11. There must be enough officers to deal with the expected number of applications. When necessary more officers should be appointed.
12. All the applications which have been scrutinized by the designated officers must be handed to the senior officer who will scrutinise the forms and if there is no disapproval, the senior officer will approve the application. If there is, he must call up the officer concerned to explain. If he is satisfied with the explanation, the application will not be approved.
13. The senior officer will then see the applicant and explain. The applicant can then correct his application for resubmission. If he cannot correct them for whatever reason the application would be rejected.
14. Time is of the essence. It is important that the processing of the application take a fixed time. For all the officers to approve or disapprove should not take more than three days. If they take more time they should be called up to explain. If this happens three times the officer concerned should be blacklisted. He should not be promoted and he should be transferred to another job.
15. These are rough suggestions. The people in the government can improve on them and design the forms so as to make approval and disapproval easy. The forms must be updated from time to time when found to be confusing or not workable.
16. The public should be consulted, privately or publicly, to hear their suggestions or objections over the procedures and forms. In all cases the consultation and the new forms must be made public. Complaints should be studied and changes made when necessary. Openness and transparency must be maintained.
17. Doctors like to say prevention is better than cure. What is being suggested is a transformation from cure to prevention.
18. Why did I not do it when I had the authority? To a certain extent I did. If anyone cares to examine, he will discover that the rapid growth of Kuala Lumpur for example took place from the early eighties because it was made easier for people to get approvals.
http://chedet.cc/